Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Iowa

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Iowa will find the lowest rates from Travelers, Progressive and State Farm. Among these, Travelers provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,851 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, youll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$1,238	$1,851
Progressive	$1,589	$2,081
State Farm	$1,306	$2,238
Allstate	$2,126	$2,631
GEICO	$1,716	$2,733
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$2,928
USAA	$1,165	$1,652

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Iowa?

In Iowa, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $2,496 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Travelers for as low as $1,851 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Iowa, IA is $2,371

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
State Farm	$1,306	$1,482
USAA	$1,165	$1,726
Travelers	$1,238	$1,795
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$1,931
Progressive	$1,589	$2,302
GEICO	$1,716	$3,020
Allstate	$2,126	$3,121

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Iowa?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm has the lowest rate at $1,394 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Iowa.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Progressive	$1,589	$1,677
Travelers	$1,238	$1,889
Allstate	$2,126	$2,794
GEICO	$1,716	$3,087
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,547
USAA	$1,165	$1,922

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Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with multiple tickets

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is State Farm, with rates averaging $1,394 annually or $116 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Iowa drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Travelers	$1,238	$1,811
Progressive	$1,589	$1,998
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$2,252
Allstate	$2,126	$2,336
GEICO	$1,716	$2,688
USAA	$1,165	$1,450

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Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,394 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Travelers	$1,238	$1,889
Progressive	$1,589	$2,148
GEICO	$1,716	$2,663
Allstate	$2,126	$2,794
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,547
USAA	$1,165	$1,631

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Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with bad credit

The cheapest Iowa insurer for bad credit is Travelers, with rates averaging $1,891 per year or $158 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects Iowa car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Travelers	$1,238	$1,891
GEICO	$1,716	$2,583
Progressive	$1,589	$2,666
Allstate	$2,126	$3,194
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,720
State Farm	$1,306	$6,462
USAA	$1,165	$2,005

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Iowa

State Farm has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,482 a year. Travelers also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,753 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
State Farm	$1,306	$1,482	$1,482
Travelers	$1,238	$1,753	$2,214
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$1,931	$2,280
Progressive	$1,589	$2,302	$2,823
GEICO	$1,716	$3,020	$3,439
Allstate	$2,126	$3,121	$4,478
USAA	$1,165	$1,726	$2,631

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Cheapest car insurance in Iowa by city

Iowa City has the cheapest car insurance rates in Iowa at $2,074 per year. But the most expensive city is Centerville with rates of $2,628 per year.

Your location in Iowa also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Iowa City	$1,351	$2,074
Story City	$1,461	$2,226
Altoona	$1,441	$2,228
Kalona	$1,554	$2,364
Lawton	$1,567	$2,373
Cedar Falls	$1,562	$2,408
Ely	$1,580	$2,418
Atkins	$1,618	$2,475
Des Moines	$1,585	$2,479
Centerville	$1,741	$2,628

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How to reduce car insurance rates in Iowa for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Iowa is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Iowa also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Iowa?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Iowa car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Iowa, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

A 40-year-old driver
A clean record
Good credit
State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage

Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:

Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.